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Alumnus funds University of Manchester post-doctoral researcher at CERN
Alumnus George Rigg has a passion for physics and requested that his donations be used to fund a particle physics post-doctoral researcher.
George Rigg graduated from the University in 1960 with a BSc Science, after which he continued his studies at the University of California. He began his professional career with English Electric Aviation (now BAE Systems), where he helped to design missile guidance systems, and has also worked for Signetic Semiconductor (now Philips) and on the US space programme. He retired in 2001 and is an active member of the North American Foundation for the University of Manchester (NAFUM), being awarded the University Outstanding Alumnus Award in 2007.
George currently funds the Rigg Postdoctoral Fellowship in Particle Physics, which aims to build links between the University and leading research institutions in the USA.
George's main motivation to support post-doctoral research comes from his strong pride in, and warm affection for, the University. He said: "With retirement has come an active involvement in NAFUM and renewed contact with the University. This in turn has reinforced my wish to 'give back' in a structured and productive way. Initially this support was for a scholarship in physical sciences, and is currently to support research in particle physics."
The current recipient of George's generous support is currently undertaking research in particle physics and cosmology, focusing on creating programmes investigating the elusive Higgs boson at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. By supporting this type of work, George is playing a leading role in ensuring Manchester remains at the very core of groundbreaking research being undertaken all over the world.
When asked for his opinions on alumni contributions, George said: "It seems that human progress is heading into an era of ever faster change, far higher complexity, explosively growing communication and greater danger. At the same time, governments have overspent scarce resources, and are increasingly limited by gridlock and bureaucracy.
"As governments invest less in breakthrough research and funding student access to universities, there is a growing need for increased alumni support of the universities that launched, or accelerated, their careers."
Alumni donations are crucial to ensuring we continue to offer the very best opportunities to the most deserving students and researchers, especially at such a critical time for Higher Education. Please donate now to show your support for Manchester and its students. Anything you can give will make a difference.
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